The Tigers are looking to extend Jahream Bula out to at least 2027 with a multi-million dollar extension offer after Benji Marshall earmarked the likely NRL rookie of the year as a centrepiece to his Wests rebuild.
Marshall is convinced Bula, still just 21, can join the ranks of young superstar number ones like Kalyn Ponga, Latrell Mitchell, Reece Walsh, and Tom Trbojevic with the right guidance.
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The new Tigers head coach, who is replacing Tim Sheens a year earlier than originally planned, wants to solidify his spine as early as possible as he looks to turn around the flagging fortunes of the Tigers. That includes retaining Bula, as well as captain Api Koroisau, who recently re-signed with the club until at least the end of 2026. Incoming youngster Jayden Sullivan and brothers Latu and Samuela Fainu are all signed to 2027.
While Sullivan and the Fainus are less proven, Bula has already shown what he’s capable of in 18 games this season. Many, this Sporting Base writer included, would be shocked if he wasn’t named Rookie of the Year at the Dally M Awards.
He was already crowned the Tigers’ best of 2023 early last week.
While Bula has a long time to decide if he wants to re-sign, the Tigers will be pushing for him to put pen to paper before November 1, which is when rival clubs can talk to the 21-year-old.
The Sporting Base expects the Runaway Bay junior to take the extension offer, though whether that will be before or after he can sound out those interesting offers from other teams remains to be seen.
Earlier this year, he declared he wants to win a premiership with the Tigers after moving from basketball to join the club. “This whole year has been surreal,” he told the SMH in August. “I never expected to play one NRL game, especially this year. I want to win a comp at the Tigers. I want to play for Fiji and Samoa. I want to play for NSW.
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“We’re on the up here [at the Tigers]. We’ll all be hungrier again next year.”
